DIY Cat Enclosure: avoid DISASTERS ❌ - Don't miss these.
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- čas přidán 16. 07. 2024
- After sifting through thousands of CZcams catio videos, we’ve discovered what not to do when constructing a DIY catio. Steering clear of these pitfalls is essential for creating a durable and delightful feline haven. Join us on a field trip as we examine several materials that fall into the “DON’T” category. And remember, there are likely more “don’ts” out there-feel free to share your ideas and experiences! 😻🚫”
Chapters:
0:35 Food
1:09 Gravel
1:36 Wood Pallets
2:11 Cat Trees
2:55 Thin Wire or Lattice
Our overall goal is to create a safe and fun outdoor feline habitat for our sweet shelter cats. 🐾 Avoid DISASTERS. Certain elements can be unsafe or a cat deterrent causing your cat to feel uncomfortable and not want to use the catio space. We hope that these avoidance suggestions help create the catio of your cats dreams! If you are considering making a Catio or outdoor space; we recommend including elements that promote exercise, climbing, places to hide and places to sleep. Also, include native, non-toxic plants too. We also have several videos that cover Catio Design and other elements that you may want to include to give your feline the best experience possible. Just use your imagination and think like a feline.
***Full Disclosure: We’re not certified catio builders; we’re simply DIY enthusiasts who adore our cats. Our passion drives us to freely share our creations with fellow cat lovers online. 🐾😊
Our channel has several DIY cat projects, catio videos and special celebration parties to review. 🔨 . We appreciate you watching and hope to see you again.
May your Catio dreams come true,
Nala - the Catio Keeper
#diycatio #catio design #catio advice #DIYCatioEnclosure
Music Credit:
EpicSound.com
Thank you for this information. I used an electric staple gun for my catio, and in less than a year, I found the staples rusted, and some had even popped out! (FL weather). I had to redo my entire catio with U nails. It's was a lot of work with a hammer, but their safety is absolutely worth it. Another thing I realized is that the fencing I used the gapes was too large for a 12 week old kitten. I had to double up on the fencing to make sure the gaps were no larger than 1x1. Also, as you mentioned in one of your videos, a dirt box is essential 😂 if you're going to have any sort of garden for them. Kitties (like humans) don't like inconvenience 😂. They prefer their water and dirt boxes to be right there for when they need a drink or have to go!
Ouch, redoing your entire patio with new u nails, sounds painful to me. Glad you realize you're 12 week old kitten might be too small for the fencing. We typically hold them back until they are 6 months old at least that has worked out for us.. I hope to see your catio on CZcams.
It’s interesting that you’ve given the negatives that we considered when we built our catio. We used AstroTurf on the ground and used old branches of trees (ones not toxic to cats) for them to scratch and climb. Our galvanised wire is 16g, 1”x1”, it’s extremely strong and rust/weather proof, and looks as good as when it was first erected, 4 years ago now (allows only insects through). We have some decorative Yorkstone rocks to add interest, plant pots and hanging plants (catmint and other non-toxic plants ). We added a rope bridge, viewing platforms, steps on poles made from scaffolding boards we had left over from our home renovation. All woods (frame, door, teal chain inside) is painted to complement the house, and we fitted an outside door to one side (as ours leads out of the house French doors) to enable us to access for cleaning, caring for the wooden structure etc. It is the best thing we ever did and now we are extending it with a run 2 feet off the ground (as it’s very wet in winters here in the UK) to the end of the garden, with stops along the way (containing activity points) including a viewing platform by enclosing a few branches of a tree, and hopefully are area on top of our shed. Our flower beds, with varying height plants, becomes part of their jungle, and they see so much wildlife, plus it hides parts of the cat 🐈 tunnels …. Thanks for sharing and your tips and hints for a good build, and good luck to those about to embark on your own, it’s pleasurable to make and such a brilliant addition to the cats welfare. They need sunshine like we do😅
WELL SAID! You have nocked this comment out of the ballpark friends!!!! We so agree with you including the sprit of the catio intent.. We hope that you will post a video showing off your catio garden marvel. Please let us know, ok? Cheers.
Thank you for this unique video, I saw that it was created from real care, many observations and experiences of cat lovers.😍😻👍
Thank you very much!
Remember to never use tires -even if painted or wrapped in any cloth, they are toxic as well.
Oh yes, excellent point Kathy.
What about tire rims?
@gideonpark8621 I am sure you are talking about cleaned rims, but if there are any residues, like brake material or grease/oul, then it would not be good for the feline.
Thankyou for this. I'm in the UK and found astro turf in the Summer gets extremely Hot! Most here use it on the shelves in Catios.
Rope ladders with gaps in between are no good, did have one myself and found it was dangerous for my Cats.
Also we have Foxes in the UK so yes after years of having outdoor Ferrets wire has to be fox proof so the gauge wire is important. Seems to be over looked here. 🐾❤️
Hello Rena, we appreciate your visit and comments today! Glad you knew about wire gauge and type for protection. All the best.
This is so dramatic I love it 😂
This was an excellent video and pointed out things. I was not aware of. We’re going to have to use the gaged wire as well as screening over the top of it because we live in Florida and right now the mosquitoes are out of control. They’re even reporting cases of malaria and I do not want my cats bitten by mosquitoes. People don’t realize it but cats can get heart worms even if you use an revolution I just don’t trust them Getting heartworm or getting bit so we’re gonna have to do a double layer and thank you for the video it was outstanding
Thank you for the visit and sharing your stories with us today Sandra. We hope your kitty cats do not get mosquito bitten I know it's a time of the year where those pesky varmints are out. Are you going to use pet screening? We hope you will share your project once it is completed I would love to see your work..
I really enjoy your channel. You seem like very compassionate and rational animal lovers. I am definitely taking your advice into account while I do research for my future catio. We will definitely start small but as time goes on we can expand on it.
Awesome, we hope to get an update! I'll be you appreciate all the critters too .Thank you!
Thank you for spreading awareness, these tips are crucial👍
My pleasure!
Thank you for all the valuable information. It's so good to know these things ahead of time than to learn by trial and error.
🌿🐈🐈⬛🐈☀️
Hello Kimberly, thank you for watching our video and we are happy this was helpful.
new to ur channel have , we have 2 12 year old cats & are going to build a catio because a bully tom has moved into the area and attacked them 3 x now . We keep them in at ngt and let them out when we are home , they enjoy the garden & cats need to be outside so ur channel is much appreciated so we can keep them safe & happy . Thankyou for everything . [ love ur soft southern accents] .
Awe, you are kind with the words... we are so happy that our info has helped you and hope that you keep in touch with your catio project results. Agree that your sweet senior cats need a safe space from being attacked too.
Great catio and building tips.
Thanks for the kind words David!
❤Great insights! That was our line of thinking when planning our catio, but we overlooked one 'small' detail - our ground is covered with cement tiles, which are too hard! By day two, we had to lay down carpets, which actually worked out since we had a dry summer. A month in, the kittens mastered running on the harder surface. I have this hilarious video of the catio with carpets everywhere. It may look a bit crazy, but it was a swift solution, and the kittens were overjoyed to be outdoors. ❤️ Thanks for sharing! ❤️🐾🐾🐾
Your cats are adorable, I'll look for your vid of the carpet action today!
this is very valuable information! It is so much better to do things right the first time especially when it comes to cats safety! 💕💕💕💕
Well said!
It's important to remember that you are protecting your cats from predators that may be much more able to break in than your cats ability to get out. Raccoons especially are crafty and can open simple latches. We have two latches on the door, with several steps to unlock each. Also, I'm not sure ground dirt is a good idea. 6 months into our new catio, and the cats have thoroughly stunk up the dirt, even with two cat boxes out there. Looking for alternatives.
All excellent points... I must say that originally our covered catio had a mulch floor with litter box. Well, the cats used the mulch causing what you are describing. We then removed the mulch and put down carpet grass and updated the litter box to a large, open one and it solved the problem. Let us know...
This was an excellent video. thank you for the tips!
Glad it was helpful!
This is even more important than all other great tips you have shared with us. Well done my friend! 😊👍
We appreciate those lovely comments. Thank you for the visit as well!
I'm going to have to add the gauge wire over my pet screen. We're on our third-hole patch now. She's really good until she sees one of the ferals outside then she goes berserk and starts ripping at the screen until there's a hole just barely big enough for her to fit through. 😒 Thanks for the helpful tips!!
Oh my, glad you can repair that...and thanks for the comments too.
Thank you for this useful & informative video😊 Even if I don't have a catio myself I think is good to know these things. As you say, the chicken fence type isnt good for cats, many use these sadly. Have a good weekend y'all!🩷
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent information, and very well done. I would never have thought of most of this.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for the good tips 👍
Building disasters when doing a diy catio would be helpful too 😊
That's an excellent idea. Thank you for your comments and visit today!
thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and educating other cat lovers. This video is highly appreciated.
Glad it was helpful!
Very informative. Thank you so much.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this!!!
I made the mistake of using sisal rope on an outdoor scratching post. It's great indoors, but will sag a little from moisture with time. Next time I was advised to use nylon. Thanks for all of your great pointers! 🐈
You're so welcome!
Awesome advices 👍👍👍👍👍 perfect editing and narration as always ❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you so much 😀
This is great advice. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Cool vid. Alternatives to the don'ts would be cool. Thanks for sharing! ❤
Thanks for watching, we actually have 2 catio design vids for success 😻! Hope that you will see these too.
Thanks for the tips. Actually, thanks for all your videos, they've been helpful with my planning and I love watching your beasties.
Awesome, thank you! Please let us know how your beasties enjoy your project.
Great tips!!! Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Good video! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Great video!
Thank you❤
Glad you liked it!
Thank you for the great advice
You bet!
Excellent info!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you!
You're welcome!
❤❤❤❤
Thank you for putting this out. I am working on some planning for a catio for my home. I was wondering about pallets. They are free all around the city. And I'm glad you said about the chemicals. I'm going to make a cat and daughter play area. When my 8 year old is older, it will be just for the cats. I would not want my cats or daughter around the chemicals leaching out of those.
Hello Laura thank you for the visit and question. I don't know about whether or not you can find any free wood pallets but I would strongly recommend against using these anywhere near your daughter or any pets. We would love to see what your Catio looks like once it's completed.
Very helpful!
Glad you think so!
Thank you so much, your video is great!
Glad you enjoyed it!
In Australia a lot of people use netting for the walls of their Catio's. Works great and allows for excellent 2-way visibility.
Hello Australia! Thank you for sharing this tip. We appreciate the visit also.
Love it!
So glad!
Yes, I noticed that one thing was left out, I don't recall which ones they are, but some plants are poisonous if eaten by cats, it should be noted that these plants are NOT used to decorate a Catio.
Yes, we agree I believe that there are a few toxic plants. That would have been an excellent topic. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing. I have seen some catios that look like an accident waiting to happen. I used the pet screening and it irked great. But, once done I worried about raccoons so I put up 2’ tall lattice at the way around. Never had any trouble and no bugs came in thru my open window.
We are glad to hear that your project turned out great!
I would also add, because I've seen videos where owners seem unaware of this, to make sure any plants that are in reach or inside the catio to be vetted for toxicity to cats.
A small note is to never drill into end grain as you build. It's a very weak joint.
Yes, great suggestion and drilling point. We will do another AVOID vid and may include these points too. Thank you for the visit today as well.
Thanks for the info. This has confirmed some thoughts I had already but highlighted some new things to look out for. My issue is that I have one catflap from the house to the garden, and my 2 older cats have access to outside whenever they want. My two kittens are only a few months old and I'm not letting them run free yet. I'd like them too have some outside space. Ideally I would like a system where the older cats can get out from the cat flap through the catio and out in to the garden. I don't want them to wear collars. I'm imagining a weight sensitive pad that allows them at 5 or 6kg to trigger the outer catflap to open... Or facial recognition haha!
Oh, yes great design and development ideas - cat facial recognition! Love that idea 😻.
They have microchip pet doors that allow only the registered cats in and out.
All good tips! Thanks! I think I'd use 1x1 coated welded wire mesh in an effort to keep birds and squirrels out.
Excellent tip! Appreciate your visit today too.
I love the video! Thank you for the helpful info. What type of staples did you use to attach your 14 gauge wire to the wood frame?
Glad it was helpful! In the pneumatic stapler we use 16g 3/4" staples
Keep in mind some glues are toxic to cats. Only use non toxic glue when wrapping rope around a post to create a scratching post. Never use pressure treated wood. I recently saw a CZcams video where they used plastic 3/4 inch PVC pipe and fittings to make the catio structure instead of wood. The owner used zip ties to connect the wire fencing material to the PVC pipe and fastened the structure to the deck and house with brackets. This created a maintenance free structure. This catio probably should be built in a shady location as PVC can be effected by UV rays from the sun. There is UV resistant PVC for outdoor use available.
Thank you for the visit and comments Sandy!
the new pressure treated wood is safe.
Thanks for the info about wood pallets, we were going to use those. What about pressure treated wood? Would that be ok?
Hello Terri, we understand that new pressure wood is safe. Please let us know how your catio turns out...
Thanks for the info. Do you have any safety tips regarding plants?
I suppose you can google that one. We do have native plants in our catios: nandina, Lentin rose and Azella.
Thank you for sharing! I am not from US and did a bit research on 14 Gauge wire specs. May I ask what's the distance between two wires according to your purchased wire net? Much appreciate if you could check, Thank you!
Thanks for the question Ray, it is a 2 x 4" wire.
Ive seen some people including this video have some form of carpet for the cats. What do you recconmend that would avoid mold growth?
Hello, and great question. Indoor/Outdoor carpet. We will shop for this in a future vid.
We used chicken wire and covered the top additionally with pet screening.
Thank you for the visit and comment today!
I have a metal/aluminum framed screen porch. The outside is where the current regular screen is, so there is the inside frame I could either screw 1x2” maybe onto the frame and staple the 14 gauge coated fencing wire-probably 1”x1” due to me getting a kitten onto the wood. Is there any suggestions on this idea you could help with? Or would many screws into the aluminum work?
Hello, Thank you for the question but we don't know how exactly to guide you on that? Perhaps someone with carpentry skills could look and check it out. All the same, we hope that you will let us know how your catio turns out.
Thank you! I would’ve made almost all of these mistakes!
In my city neighborhood, we have skunks, possums and raccoons, galore and feral cats. What can I do to keep the feral cats especially from marking the outside of my Catios ????
Sounds like you have quite a array of critters. Regarding stray cats, we've had this before and we use a product called Simply Green Pet spray. It's safe for pets and plants and seems to do a good job. Hope that helps.
What about cat litter boxes outside? Obviously you need to be able to get your them to clean them and need to not get wet but does it attract other animals?
Thank you for the visit and question EliteFpv. We agree that a covered catio needs to include a litterbox. In over 5 years we have not had problems with other animals coming inside.
What are your thoughts about vinyl hardware cloth? There are some durable products out there with good reviews for use in fencing pet enclosures.
Hey Alma, looked it up. I would be certain that it was durable, ie welded at the joints and get the thickest gauge 16 or better. You could try to get a sample and try it out???
do you have any tips for a catio off of a window?
Hello, humm, I would recommend making sure they felt safe with a hiding spot and easy access to return to the inside. Keep us posted.
Tips about cats in the summer heat might be helpful. It is getting so much hotter sooner, and for longer… even with shade, I wonder about safety for furries… How long should they be left out in a catio? How much supervision, etc
These are all excellent suggestions; stayed tuned.
In the meantime, I see a lot of vanlifers that have a device that monitors the temperature of a specific area and sends an alert if it starts getting too hot for them.
Wow, that is good to know. Thanks Mom;left.me
I think as long as they have 24/7 access to AC they're pretty good at monitoring themselves. However if you have a sick kitty and he/goes into the catio, then absolutely bring them in! Because heat will make it hard for them to have energy to get back inside. Also please put fresh water in catios. I find mine will drink more if water is available. I put mine closer to the entrance/exit, sadly I don't have a catio like Our Catio Home. (Which is the best Catio I've seen on CZcams!) I hope to one day have something like this. BTW thank you for putting that video out there nothing I've seen with this info yet. And a lot of people are building with chicken wire! It rusts and it's worthless for safety. Also using regular staples are worthless too! I had to redo my catio completely with u nails. Pain in the butt but their safety worth it!!
I have been looking into shade cloth, which can reduce temps & provide protection to both animals and plants. They vary in quality, though, so read the reviews before purchasing.
What are your thoughts on an outdoor litter box? Same as the thoughts for outdoor food? Or do you think it’d be fine?
We have a litter box in the covered catio. Food not a good idea. Thanks for the question.
is it good to have a sand area for them? Or put a cat litter protected from rain or nothing outside for litter?
Hi Sylvie! We feel that everybody needs a litter box with clumping litter, only in a covered catio. When ya have to go, ya need a proper place. Sand doesn't clump and it retains odors too.
@@OurCatioHome thank you very much
looking for an Outdoor barn cat kennel design - that is coyote proof with an escape exit... for Southwest New Mexican living. - any links and comments - welcome!
Hello Rockkerr! We are not aware of any design links there however, we would be sure that the wire fencing is berried several feet, (we have seen chain linked used) for safety. We are not certified catio builders, just DIY. Keep us posted.
should i leave door my self to get in or should i closed all of them ?
Are you asking should you stay with them for a visit? Yes, ours love when we are there too. Be sure you have places for them to hide too.
Hi, I’m wondering what kind of accidents you’re referring to re. using lattice. I can’t imagine a cat getting into problems with it and it looks so much nicer than wire so it was what I was thinking of using...
Hello Fionamacelli. We always are concerned for safety in using materials, seems to me that the cat could get their head stuck. Please check the size 1st. Let us know how your project turns out. 🙂
@@OurCatioHome I see. I was just wondering what the concern was specifically. Perhaps cats of certain sizes could get stuck, yes.
Glad you came back, yup - catio building is what you want it to be in the end. 😻
This is really good information. I do wish you hadn’t gone for a scare tactic when editing (the music, transitions, etc.), but I get that you were trying to get views.
Hello A Woods, we appreciate your visit today and comments too. Please come back, ok?
Hi, I just built a cat enclosure (W: 7 feet by L: 20 feet size) for 7 outdoor cats that my neighbors have complained about. They were so stressed out inside the enclosure that all bolted out the door when I cleaned the catio. They also pooped outside the litter boxes (I have 4 large boxes) and vomited on the beddings. Help! What do I do now? My neighbors have threatened to have all of them impounded if I don't put them in an enclosure.
We are so sorry to hear about this, sounds like something is very frighting to them....hum sit with them for a while and see what is going on. Also be sure that they have places to hide, the higher the better. We hope that you can figure it out and soon,
@@OurCatioHome Thank you for your reply. I gathered the cats to the enclosure last night and they were less frightened, except for one that kept trying to look for an opening. The enclosure isn't fully furnished yet. I will be placing cat towers, shelving and hammocks soon to make the space appealing for them. I took note of your suggestion to place hiding places. Thank you for the tip. The young ones are easier to lure inside and two have stayed even with the door open.
assume these are feral cats? they will feel threatened when closed in, maybe let them come and go until they get more comfortable with it. explain to the neighbors what you are doing.
Hallo 😀 habe das Video gesehen 😀 danke 👍👍👍👍 bis bald 🩵🤍🩵
Hello and thank you for the kind words! 😻
News flash. I just read that raccoons will know that there's a food source nearby if they find water. So don't even leave water out. At least not overnight.
We appreciate you taking the time to write a comment.
Water left for wildlife can be lifesaving
Remember..........despite its name.......cats do not like Catapults.
We appreciate your visit today, and agree that no one would like to be a catapult.
That would be a catastrophe! 🙀
Catalytic converters are not good either.They most likely would provoke a cataleptic fit. 😹
@wazza33racer Your comment has been quite the catalyst! I hope I'm not catapulted off this forum for all my catty responses! 😻
We hope that you return and often Alma!
just a thought, poisonous plants,
Excellent point. Perhaps we should make a part 2 and include this?
Don't put a litter box out there It invites predators.
We appreciate you taking the time to write a comment today.